A beluga whale named Osiris, who was relocated from Marineland to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago as part of a larger move of captive whales, has tragically passed away due to health complications. Osiris, a 26-year-old female beluga, had been struggling with her health since her arrival at Shedd from Marineland, a now-closed tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, Ont. The move of Osiris and several other belugas was prompted by Marineland’s financial struggles, which led the park to transfer its marine animals to various aquariums worldwide.
Despite receiving care and medication at Shedd, Osiris faced challenges with eating and showed sudden changes in behavior and breathing patterns. The veterinary and animal care teams at Shedd made efforts to save her, but unfortunately, Osiris could not be revived. A necropsy will be conducted to determine the cause of her death.
In addition to Osiris, two other belugas from Marineland, Rain and Peekachu, also died after being moved to Shedd, along with a resident beluga named Beethoven. The health of another recently relocated beluga, Secord, is currently a concern at Shedd due to issues with food intake.
Marineland originally planned to transport the belugas to China but faced opposition, resulting in the whales being dispersed among different aquariums in the United States and Spain. The relocation was approved by veterinarians and Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson. The whales’ move was necessitated by a federal law prohibiting whale and dolphin captivity, breeding, and performances.
The deaths of multiple belugas at Marineland in recent years have raised concerns about the welfare of captive marine animals. With regulatory changes and financial challenges, Marineland has undergone significant transformations, ultimately leading to the relocation of its remaining whales.
